“No” lets other people know where your boundaries are. It’s good that you ordered the fruitcake, but you don’t have to be the one who picks it up. 3. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the food choices during the Christmas holiday season. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Contrary to popular belief, there is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties of wild fungi or mushrooms... CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn from an accredited organisation... Head injuries can be serious and require urgent medical attention. I’m not singing a Christmas song. If you wait for inspiration to strike, you could find yourself wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre for hours, or impulse buying and spending more than you planned. It can also free up plenty of time for you to relax and enjoy the Christmas season instead of rushing to and through it. And, know when to stop. Perfection is impossible to strive for. Stress is our body’s response to too much stimulation from the outside. For example: when to put the turkey in the oven, when to put the pudding on to boil, or whatever suits your catering agenda. Make a list … We have been thinking about the many facets of this single day for months. Stress is everywhere and even holidays that should bring you only peace, relaxation, love and time together with your loved ones and your family can cause more stress than joy. Make a list and check it twice. December 23, 2018 by Linda Mo Leave a Comment. Make a list of all the gifts and food you wish to buy and shop early. Remember, presents don’t have to cost money – you can also give of your time or experience. There’s shopping, cooking, cleaning, parties, travel, crowds, the onslaught of advertising telling us about everything we “should” have, expectations, positive and negative anticipation, the fear of failure (giving the “wrong” gifts, an unsuccessful party, disappointing food, inappropriate clothes), the pressure from our children about what they “want,” and the ingestion of sweets, treats, drinks, extra calories, and so on. For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Now brainstorm gifts based on those interests. Christmas and Stress. This is a great way to reduce stress this Christmas season. Provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. Overseas mail at Christmas time takes longer to arrive. Both practices have been proven to minimise stress and lift your mood by allowing for increased mindfulness and self-compassion. For many of us, the Christmas aftermath includes massive credit card bills that can take months to clear. For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Healthy relationships can withstand “no’s.” In fact, healthy relationships are built on the ability to hear and respect BOTH “yes” and “no.”. “No” protects your freedom. By: Dr. Abigail Joseph “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” – or at least that is what the song says. Now, I know what to do. Image: FreeStocks. Meditate or practice yoga Dedicating just 10 or 20 minutes a day to practicing meditation or yoga can help to reduce anxiety. Hearing and respecting someone’s “no” means you are a respecter of people’s boundaries. Keep moving – keeping up your regular exercise routine can give you the fitness and stamina to make it through the demands of the festive season. Practicing mindfulness is one of the best ways to deal with Christmas stress. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Hypnotherapy can help you deal with stress in a different way as it teaches your brain to react differently to outside influences. Plan your holiday activities around your normal schedule as much as possible. The only protection from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is to avoid mosquito bites... Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and a rash of variable appearance. During the Christmas holiday season, having the ability to hear and respect someone’s “no” can not only prevent damaged relationships from unrealistic expectations and unhealthy boundaries but it can also reduce a lot of the stress and negativity that typically comes from relationships where “no” is viewed as unacceptable. Some options may include: Taking a walk at night and stargazing The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Because we know the hardship anxiety unwellness can cause, we are committed to helping others, with over 30 years of service.” - Jim Folk, President, anxietycentre.com. Exercise won't make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly. Flip Shelton reports on some great ideas for healthy and tasty treats for your child’s next birthday... Food is an important part of any celebration in all nations of the world, regardless of culture or religion... Water quality of natural water sources, such as beaches and rivers, can vary greatly. Being realistic will allow you to enjoy “what is” rather than being disappointed or upset by what “should have been.”. If that’s the case, you need to read and discover 5 easy ways to calm your nerves this season. 2. There is always something that could be better. Many people find the time leading up to and during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years to be stressful. Let’s give ourselves permission to not do it all for once. The store will deliver your groceries to your door. You shouldn’t feel guilty for saying “no.” Saying “no” to something means you can say “yes” to something else. Christmas doesn't have to be a financial headache if you plan ahead. Keeping an eye on your level of stress leading up to and during the Christmas season, then taking corrective action each day, can prevent a build-up of unnecessary stress, its symptoms, and what’s often a protracted recovery. If you save $5, $10, or $20 per week over a year, it can provide you with a hefty nest egg. Resting and relaxing each day can keep your body and mind healthy, especially during busy or pressure-filled times like the Christmas holiday season. For example, you could plan your mornings and early afternoon for the work that needs to be done, and then the rest of the day to be with family and having fun. A third kind of stress is planning for a Christmas dinner. Use November ; Minimize the number of gifts There is no such thing as perfect: the perfect tree, the perfect outdoor decoration, the perfect play, the perfect dinner, the perfect gift, the perfect Christmas morning, etc. You can also try consuming a little bit at a time, then give yourself twenty minutes before you eat more. You might even be surprised at how much better YOU feel. My 5 top tips to reduce Christmas stress 1. Today we’re talking about holiday stress and of course the different ways to reduce stress on Christmas time: there is no more stressful time of the year than Christmas.It is true though people enjoy holiday vacation but there is a pinch of stress and certain amount of pressure too. Having this consistent stability may be able to help you to destress during the holidays and reduce Christmas overwhelm! I’m actually showing you what you may want to consider to reduce Christmas stress. Multilingual health information - Health Translations Directory. To break up the busyness, make sure to plan in some “you” time among all of the other “To Do” items on your list. Remember, the way you behave and approach life is just one way. The holidays can be a trigger from stress, addictions, and grief. Until the core causes of anxiety are addressed - the underlying factors that motivate apprehensive behavior - a struggle with anxiety disorder can return again and again. Some practical suggestions can help you reduce your 'Christmas stress'. The Salvation Army - Christmas budgeting. Does Christmas cause stress for you or your loved ones? Our already busy schedules are then overrun with holiday duties. Calculate how much disposable income you have between now and Christmas. 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